Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for supplying a liquid and controlling its level inside of a container. In particular, the liquid inside of the container may be a liquid material suitable for use in a chemical vapor deposition process, wherein the liquid is controlled and supplied in a manner which minimizes the introduction of impurities.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for supplying a liquid and controlling its level inside of a container. In particular, the liquid inside of the container may be a liquid material suitable for use in a chemical vapor deposition process, wherein the liquid is controlled and supplied in a manner which minimizes the introduction of impurities.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a film-forming apparatus to remove a silicon-based material deposited on a constituent member of the film-forming apparatus after being used to form thin films includes introducing a first gas including fluorine gas and a second gas including carbon monoxide gas into the film-forming apparatus, and heating the constituent member. The constituent member includes quartz or silicon carbide and the silicon-based material includes silicon nitride, or the constituent member includes silicon carbide and the silicon-based material includes silicon oxide.

Abstract: To provide a method of cleaning a film forming apparatus capable of uniformly removing a deposit containing tantalum nitride, titanium nitride, tantalum, or titanium adhering to a wall of a processing chamber of the film forming apparatus at a high etching rate without use of plasma. A method of cleaning a film forming apparatus for removing a deposit containing tantalum nitride, titanium nitride, tantalum, or titanium deposited on a processing chamber of the film forming apparatus after it is used for forming a thin film made of tantalum nitride, titanium nitride, tantalum, or titanium, the cleaning method comprising: a step of supplying process gas containing fluorine gas into the processing chamber of the film forming apparatus; and a step of heating the processing chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning undesired substances from a surface in a semiconductor processing chamber. A gas mixture containing a fluorine source and an oxygen source is pre-treated to contain active fluorine species. The pre-treated mixture is stored for a time in a gas storage device, and then introduced to a semiconductor processing chamber. Prior to introduction of the pre-treated gas, the temperature in the chamber is lowered to a temperature equal to or lower than the normal operating temperature. Undesired substances are removed or cleaned through chemical reaction with the pre-treated gas mixture, without the generation of a plasma or a high temperature condition in the chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning undesired substances from a surface in a semiconductor processing chamber. A gas mixture containing a fluorine source and an oxygen source is pre-treated to contain active fluorine species. The pre-treated mixture is stored for a time in a gas storage device, and then introduced to a semiconductor processing chamber. Prior to introduction of the pre-treated gas, the temperature in the chamber is lowered to a temperature equal to or lower than the normal operating temperature. Undesired substances are removed or cleaned through chemical reaction with the pre-treated gas mixture, without the generation of a plasma or a high temperature condition in the chamber.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a film-forming apparatus to remove a silicon-based material deposited on a constituent member of the film-forming apparatus after being used to form thin films includes introducing a first gas including fluorine gas and a second gas including carbon monoxide gas into the film-forming apparatus, and heating the constituent member. The constituent member includes quartz or silicon carbide and the silicon-based material includes silicon nitride, or the constituent member includes silicon carbide and the silicon-based material includes silicon oxide.